response on reef crystals

i just recently switched to reef crystals from instant ocean because my coralline algae seemed to be thinning. nobody seems to agree on which salts are the best as everyone has their preferences. i read some of the posts against reef crystals and wondered if i made a bad decision. i emailed the makers of reef crystals asking if the salt really does have the extra minerals they claim. this was the response i got. Hello,

Instant Ocean is formulated to duplicate natural seawater with respect to major, minor and trace element composition. Reef Crystals sea salt was formulated to have an elevated calcium level which can be beneficial for the growth of certain coral species as well as desirable calcareous algae. Calcium in Reef Crystals is elevated by ~14% over natural seawater level.

Aside from having an elevated calcium level Reef Crystals also has elevated levels of selected trace elements. Most are elements that are not often heard about but all have proven benefit to the symbiotic algae that live within the tissue of photosynthetic corals. Reef Crystals also has several different kinds of vitamins added which have also shown to be beneficial to corals.

While we cannot disclose the exact percentage by which these trace elements are elevated. We can, however say which elements are elevated. Below is a list of these elements (excluding calcium). These are some of the same elements that are present in various "Trace element" additives available on the market.

 

I used reef crystals for a while in my old tank. When I was just running LPS and Softies I could just change the water every 2 weeks and just buffer my water and the rest of the levels stayed right in line. Only when I got a clam and a few LPS pieces did I have to dose for calcium but it wasn't much.

 

I too run Reef Crystals, and have been for the last couple of years. The system is heavy on fish and light on Soft Corals.... Because of the angle fish population, I'm not keeping any stony corals...

 

" Most are elements that are not often heard about but all have proven benefit to the symbiotic algae that live within the tissue of photosynthetic corals. Reef Crystals also has several different kinds of vitamins added which have also shown to be beneficial to corals."

I would need to see what these elements are and specifically what vitamins.

So I went to their site and was pleasently surprised. Not bad IO, a good general outline.


http://www.instantocean.com/downloads/basicsofsaltwater/basicsofsaltwater.pdf

 

It's the only brand i have ever used,but i've allways had good results with it with soft coral and easier lps without dosing anything,but for more demanding corals it will still need supplimented with ca/alk/mag,I've also had good coralline growth using it.

 

they did include the list of elements in the email i just diddnt copy and paste it

 

so why not post it here? I'm interested to find out....

 

Almost every major salt brand has the same elements and compounds in approximately the same ratios as the goal is to mimic natural salt water as much as possible. Some do have more Ca or Mg or Alk etc., but basically they all are in acceptable ranges. IMO, the biggest difference between them is consistency. You may get a great batch of RC one month, then a bad one later on. Of course, part of that problem is that as the salt sits, certain elements/compounds tend to migrate to the bottom. In my research, the best salt seem to be the most expensive, Tropic Marine has always gotten good remarks for consistency and levels. IMO, if you dose anyways, get whatever is cheapest. I've never had an issue due to the salt mix and can't tell you of anybody who has.

 

I also use Reef Crystals and before I started messing with part a and b dosing from brightwell aquatics things were showing progress. The salt itself is a good salt IMO. I'm about to run out and my next one to try will be Red Sea Coral Pro salt mix... it has super elevated levels of calcium, alk and mg for good growth. It's not on the market yet, I think, so I'm waiting patiently until I run out of mine. Nothing really to complain about with Reef Crystals.